​And, another fine week it has been! Niki, Pico and I are loving the weather today. It is so easy to be outside. And the Z-boy is starting to shed, a great sign of warmer weather. He never really grew a thick coat this year so he’ll probably “blow” the winter coat nice and fast. It takes a fair amount of elbow grease and a tool called a curry comb to get down deep and loosen the undercoat. In a few weeks there will be piles of his hair after a grooming. Today he was pretty steamy after our ride which required a longer cool down than usual. The barn was only 20 degrees so we must have worked extra hard. And, another sure sign that spring is here – robins and eastern bluebirds are back on the Brady property. Actually, there are dozens of robins at the barn in pine trees. Needless to say the pile from cleaning the stalls is a great source of undigested grain and hay for them. This is the third year the bluebird couple has returned and they are very busy reading their nest in the house that they’ve used in the past. They are a pretty indigo blue with orange throats and white bellies. I’m so glad they are back and enjoy the way they communicate with soothing, soft whistles back and forth, back and forth.. “chiti WEEW, or jeew wiwi.” Welcome home.

I was downtown last week for Ash Wednesday Mass at the St. Bonaventure Monastery, home of the Capuchin monks. I love the chapel as it is simple yet very beautiful. At the main entrance is the casket of Fr. Solanus Casey which is always surrounded by a crowd of his worshipers and believers praying for favors, or in thanks for such prayers already answered. Fr. Casey was known for his ability to miraculously cure the sick which amounted to tens of thousands in his life time. Documented cures include everything from heart disease, deafness, cancer, broken bones to diabetes and polio. His proclamation “I have but two loves, the sick and the poor” mirrors the way he lived. Catholic or not a visit to the Solanus Casey Center is a Detroit history lesson on the road to his becoming a Saint. I am humbled beyond description each time I am there with the devotion of his life’s work and those who follow him with deserving adoration and amazed at the diversity of the congregation; young, old, well-to-do, very poor, Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, healthy and extremely ill. Each comes for different reasons, but, all come to honor a man who gave his life to the betterment of those who needed it the most. I always feel so good afterwards and look forward to the next opportunity to attend a mass there.

​I couldn’t wait to get home Tuesday to watch the second night of the 140th Westminster Dog Show which is the 2nd longest running sporting event after the Kentucky Derby. Niki and , my best of show pups, were my TV watching buddies and very engaged with tail wagging and barking as the contestant’s strutted their stuff. 200 breeds from over a dozen countries were highlighted including 7 new breeds sanctioned for their first WM show. The Short Haired Pointer, CJ, won Best of Show with Lucy, a Borzoi the runner-up. Both winners from left field as Rumor the German Shepherd, Panda, the Shih Tzu and Charlie, a lovely Skye Terrier back for his second year were the favorites of the crowd. I thought Bogey the Samoyed and the Bulldog Annabelle were awesome too. Dog’s Rock!

And I taped Sunday’s Emmy awards because I wanted to see Lady Gaga’s tribute to David Bowie and the Broadway Stage Play segment from Hamilton . Both awesome. I need a NY show trip!

Sharon and crew have worked their magic again with the Chalkboard Features. There are Fried Oysters served with Asian Slaw; Golden Corvina, Pan Roasted and presented with Asiago Cheese Gnocchi and Swiss Chard; Chicken Pot Pie Full of Natural Chicken, Carrots, Celery, Peas and Carrots in a Rich Wine-Chicken Jus and topped with a Puff Pastry Hat; Oven steamed Pacific Cod accompanied with Tomato Quinoa and Broccolini; Grilled Filet Mignon served with Aged Cheddar & Potato Pie, Crispy Onion Rings and Home Made B-54 sauce and last, but not least, a Vegan Plate starring a Baked Sweet Potato topped with a Stir-Fry of Broccoli, Shiitakes, Bok Choy, Edamame and Peanuts in a Coconut Curry Sauce – who needs meat with a dish like this.!